My apologies for taking so long to post again. My life has been a bit of a roller coaster lately because, apparently, I’m going through a midlife crisis, though I don’t understand why some people see it that way. But that’s for another post. Now, I want to talk about the movie I saw this weekend, The Butler.

Now, the only reason I even went to see this movie is because of the cast; more specifically, Alan Rickman. This will come as no surprise to those who know me or have read this blog. To say I love him would be an understatement. Although his part was brief in this movie, it was still my favorite part. He was superb and really did justice to the persona of Ronald Reagan. As soon as he appeared, a huge grin adorned my face that didn’t fade until the ending credits rolled.

I was a little iffy on seeing Jane Fonda as Nancy Reagan. I’ve never liked her after learning of her actions in Hanoi, and a heavy influence from my Vietnam vet father, judging her as a traitor to her fellow Americans. I don’t pretend to know why she did what she did and at this point, I don’t care. But as I realize that we are all one and that everyone deserves love, I am putting the past behind me. Holding on to that grudge doesn’t prove my loyalty for my father, it merely burdens my heart with unnecessary hate. And hate has no part in my life.

The movie was good, not great. At the end it seemed way too political for my taste. It was more like Obama propaganda than a serious movie about the relationship between a hard-working father and a son who is ashamed of his father’s profession but still yearns for his approval. I found it interesting that each man affected change for the better but in very different ways. The characters were well played, interesting and earned my empathy. The main message I got from watching the movie was that you are never too old to change the way you see the world around you and to take action to do what you feel is right.

And of course, Alan Rickman rocked! Now I can’t wait until October when Gambit finally comes out in America. I don’t know why it took so long but Halleluiah it’s a comin’!